Two Veterans Receive Recycled Rides from New Trimble Auto Body and NABC 

by Alana Quartuccio

Thanks to the work of AASP/NJ member New Trimble Auto Body (Clifton) via the National Auto Body Council (NABC) Recycled Rides program, two veterans of the US Marine Corps each received a life-changing gift of a fully refurbished vehicle, allowing them the mobility to tend to daily activities. 

This is the fifth recycled vehicle the New Trimble Auto Body team has worked to refurbish through this program. A veteran himself from his native country of Portugal, shop owner Ivo Rodrigues believes strongly in giving back to the community, according to shop manager Christina Lopez. Since he opened the shop in 2013, he’s always given back to the Clifton community by supporting the police and fire departments and donating to Clifton Community Outreach. So, when the opportunity from GEICO came along to participate with the Recycled Rides program, he set forth to help give back to deserving veterans. 

“He enjoys giving back and he’s been lucky to have the opportunity to do so over the last five years,” says Lopez. 

On Wednesday, July 23, members of NABC, GEICO which provided the vehicles and the recipients gathered at New Trimble Auto Body for the official unveiling of the newly refurbished vehicles. Miguel Arocho received a refurbished 2019 Mitsubishi Mirage ES and Dominick Carpentieri, who rose to the rank of sergeant in his six years in the US Marine Corps, was presented with a 2018 Hyundai Elantra SL

Arocho became homeless after losing his job in California. He moved to New Jersey to stay with his sister, only to have a tree fall on her house, making it uninhabitable. Arocho has overcome those adversities to be able to enroll in school under the G.I. Bill and to get housing through the Veterans Administration HUD VASH program. The refurbished gifted vehicle will help Arocho get to school and to medical appointments.

Following his service, Carpentieri worked for more than 30 years as a union butcher. His vehicle with 220,000 miles on it became increasingly unreliable. He relies on his vehicle to see family members as well as for volunteering to help other veterans. The recycled ride will give him the ability to continue his service and spend time with loved ones. 

Additional partners in the NABC Recycled Rides presentation include Keystone/LKQ, Fred Beans, Colours, King of Dents, Empire Rim Fix, Scott Tire, Advanced Remarketing Services, Cars for Charity, Copart and Enterprise.

New Trimble Auto Body is a family-owned business which holds certifications from most major car brands and is an I-CAR Gold Certified repair facility. 

Want more? Check out the August 2025 issue of New Jersey Automotive!